Phoenix Suns to lean on Alvin Gentry, Robert Sarver going forward

There were arguments in the Suns basketball office this week, and that fact is a healthy sign during an otherwise turbulent time for the front office.

The principal voices in the Suns draft room debated on how they assess players and needs as they form a list of 10 prospects they feel comfortable with drafting and being available at the Suns' 46th and 60th picks Thursday.

General Manager Steve Kerr and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin worked year-round to prepare for this draft, their final acts as Suns employees. The Suns had said Kerr would handle any long-shot contract extension negotiations with Amar'e Stoudemire, but that upcoming final pitch will come from coach Alvin Gentry and Managing Partner Robert Sarver.

"We've talked about this (free-agency period) throughout the year, so we've got a pretty good idea of what our plan is," Kerr said. "Robert will execute it with Todd (Quinter, Suns director of player personnel) and with Alvin. I'm sure it'll be very similar to what we would've done if it had not changed.

"Robert has obviously been very active throughout his six years here so that's good. It won't be that much of a change."

Kerr said the group would lean on Gentry's opinion more but contends that an awkward week will turn familiar Thursday night.

"We're just doing our jobs," he said. "We want to make sure we get the best player possible for Alvin and the franchise. We both want the Suns to do well. We'll always kind of have our heart right here with this team and this group."

The Suns held another draft workout Tuesday but perhaps with a sharper focus. Stanford swingman Landry Fields is a prime candidate for the 46th pick, if anyone had a comfort level of how the first 45 picks will go.

Fields is a 6-foot-7, 210-pound senior from Stanford, where he arrived in the same class as Suns center Robin Lopez and the two became friends. Fields is likened to Phoenix's Jared Dudley and ex-Sun Matt Barnes, comparisons he embraced.

"(He) does a lot of things out on the floor," Kerr said. "Always seems to be kind of in the mix. He's got a little bit of Jared Dudley in him in terms of taking charges, making plays and creating extra possessions and then he's a pretty talented offensive player, too. He averaged 22 a game at Stanford and rebounds well."

In 15 NBA workouts, Fields gathered that teams wanted to see how his NBA shooting range would be. He shot 3-pointers Tuesday as well as any Suns draft candidate.

"I think my skills and versatility would fit great in their offense," Landry said. "You want to go somewhere where it's a good fit for you so you can be there for a long time."

The Suns also worked out DePaul power forward Mac Koshwal, Iowa State swingman Marquis Gilstrap and Connecticut power forward Gavin Edwards. Koshwal, at 6 feet 10 and 240 pounds, brings a high-energy, low-offense skill set like that of Louis Amundson, whom Phoenix could lose in free agency.

"Mac just goes hard every single play," Kerr said. "I first saw him play about two years ago against UCLA. He seemed to get every single rebound. He never stops. He never quits."

The Suns are open to trading into the first round but it would not be easy if Portland's reported $2 million payment to Golden State to move from No. 44 to No. 34 is any indication.

"We've already explored a lot of options and it's tricky," Kerr said. "It's a lot easier said than done."